LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Racing Louisville Football Club and General Manager Ryan Dell mutually agreed to part ways, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon. According to Racing, Dell will look for another opportunity elsewhere within soccer.
Dell, who was the first GM in Racing's history, spent two years in Louisville. In both seasons of his tenure, while working with former head coach Kim Björkegren and current head coach Bev Yanez, Racing finished in ninth place in the National Women's Soccer League and failed to qualify for the postseason.
"We appreciate Ryan's effort and contributions over the past two seasons," Soccer Holdings Chairman John Neace said. "While we fell just short of our goal of making the NWSL playoffs this year, Ryan departs having helped us establish a core group of players who will be competitive in 2025 and beyond."
The former United States Women's National Soccer Team staffer is also credited with playing a major hand in bringing the USWNT to Louisville for its first match in the city in 20 years. In front of a sold-out crowd at Lynn Family Stadium, the Americans beat Argentina 3-0 in a friendly while starting star Racing rookie Emma Sears.
"Along with the coaching staff, they promise to make next season an exciting one for us," Neace said. "We wish Ryan the very best in his next career move. He has a bright future."
Dell was tasked with not only trying to turn a young club into a winner but also ensuring the overall environment improved following Racing's first two seasons. Louisville previously fired its first-ever head coach in Christy Holly due to various abuse allegations uncovered through an independent investigation, which were later expanded upon in a joint inquiry between the NWSL and NWSL Players Association.
In taking over operational reins, Dell moved on from Björkegren and promoted an assistant in Yanez to start her head coaching career. Players and staff members were consistent in praising the professionalism of the environment and available resources while those two formed a leadership tandem.
New Racing Louisville FC general manager Ryan Dell. (Racing Louisville FC photo)
But the results on the field still fell short. Facing pressure to live up to postseason expectations in the later stages of this past season, Dell aggressively pursued and traded for veteran forwards in Bethany Balcer and Janine Beckie to make a playoff push.
To acquire them, he dealt two of Louisville former first-round draft picks: club captain Jaelin Howell and promising rookie forward Reilyn Turner. He also traded a standout outside back in Carson Pickett, respecting a request from her to be closer to home, sending Pickett to the eventual league champions in Orlando.
Following the deal to get Balcer, Racing went just 4-6 over the rest of the campaign. While Louisville finished with its most points in four seasons of existence (28), inconsistency plagued a talented group, mainly with giving up leads that resulted in draws instead of wins and failing to win three straight games at any point of the regular season. The attendance to support the club also did not take enough of a step forward as it approaches year five of existence.
The now former general manager did ensure Louisville's best player from this past season came to Racing. He traded with the San Diego Wave to acquire star defensive midfielder Taylor Flint in January 2024. Flint had a case as being the most dominant player at her position for the NWSL's 2024 campaign, ranking in the 97th-99th percentiles for aerials won, blocks, clearances, interceptions and tackles.
Racing Louisville FC's Taylor Flint.
However, two of Dell's other offseason acquisitions, Elexa Bahr and Linda Motlhalo, did not materialize in making major impacts. Bahr made 14 starts but only tallied a goal and an assist. Motlhalo played just four minutes of regular season action.
Other additions, such as Angela Baron and Milly Clegg, were seen as younger players who Louisville views more as later contributors. But all in all, the totality of these moves did not result in the ultimate goal: finally making the NWSL playoffs.
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